Jade in Alaska
Many may be familiar with the shades of green and luminescent quality of Chinese jade, and you can certainly find these colors and quality in Alaskan jade, as well. For instance, an entire mountain on the Seward Peninsula in south-central AK is filled with deep green jade. But, the color options don't stop there. You can also find red, white, and black shades, along with the rarest hue of this glimmering gem, lavender jade. Pairing any of these colors with your wedding set, be it local 16k Alaskan gold, silver, platinum or the metal of your choice, is a great option.Alaskan Gold
At various points over the past few centuries, gold fever has struck Alaska. Large deposits of this precious mineral have been found from Juneau to Nome to Fairbanks and beyond, and fuel the gold rushes the state has continued to see over the years. Though the state's 24-karat heyday seems to have passed for now, Alaskan gold can still be found and used in your wedding jewelry designs. Or, if you aren't sure of the exact look you want, your jeweler may have the perfect accent pieces for your special day. You can find everything from rugged gold nugget cuff links for your groomsmen to delicate modern goldsmithing, in addition to stylish designs celebrating Alaska's heritage and varied culture.On a Budget?
If you live in Alaska, hand pan for gold for a wedding ring. It's resourceful, and along a number of rivers and streams claims can still be made for free. It takes planning, but with proper time and effort you can gather many of the raw materials for a wedding or engagement ring, or at least components of those rings.Find A Jeweler Who Works with Your Wedding Budget
Do you have ideas for your jewelry set already sketched out? If so, you will need a master craftsman who is comfortable doing custom work. Keep in mind that this sort of design comes at a price, but can be well worth it to realize the perfect wedding day look you've imagined. Lower-priced options can be found online (always thoroughly check out the companies you buy from online, and their return polices). Also consider turning to silver and abundant Alaskan jade for bridesmaids' sets. Native jewelry is also another interesting and uniquely Alaskan option, bearing the particular artistic flair of the Northwest Passage.AlaskaJewelry.com is a well-renowned online vendor offering many options featuring local Alaskan materials and themes. Look to their collection of "Forget-Me-Not" Jewelry (the state flower) for another special Alaskan touch.
The Alaska Guide Store offers a fine selection of reasonably priced jade, gold, pearl, black diamond, ivory and arctic opal jewelry, which makes them a great option for bridesmaids gifts and sets whatever your wedding color palette. Their jade leaf earrings with freshwater pearls might be your perfect springtime accents.
Native Alaskan Ivory Jewelry
One of the interesting aspects of the Alaskan jewelry scene is that native artisans are permitted by law to use ivory in their contemporary designs. This makes their work particularly rare and interesting, as ivory is unavailable to most jewelers in the U.S. as a material. Some Alaskan ivory is harvested humanely, as from fossilized moose antlers. Check with your salesperson or artisan to get the full story behind any ivory pieces you choose to buy.Along with numerous other beautiful gemstone options including gold-in-quartz, seafoam tourmaline, and rare grape garnet, Fire and Ice Jewelry of Juneau, Alaska, offers the Jenny Byrne collection, featuring ivory accents and stunning designs.
At Simply Sterling you can find today's take on the artistic style of traditional Alaskan petroglyphs. A pretty option for brides on a budget!
When it comes to putting together a stunning wedding day look, Alaska has plenty of options for your jewelry needs, no matter your price range. If you choose to buy online, remember that what you see on-screen may not exactly match what arrives in person. If you opt for this route, leave plenty of time for returns or local alterations to perfectly coordinate your wedding day accoutrements.